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Cargo Space and Storage Rating:

The gas-powered Fusion holds as much cargo as most competitors, but the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models suffer mightily for their battery packs, which reside in the trunk.

What’s New for 2018?

With no changes for the 2018 model year, we still recommend families with lots of luggage steer clear of the hybrid and plug-in Fusions.

2017 Ford Fusion

Gas-powered Fusions offer spacious cargo holds that match up closely with those of its competitors. The Fusion Energi we tested held a measly two carry-on bags in its trunk, which is dominated by the car’s large battery pack. Even ambitious grocery runs will overtax the Energi.

The rear seats fold easily in all versions of the Fusion, but in hybrid models the height of the pass-through is cut roughly in half by the battery, and in Energi models that opening is narrower still, with no obvious practical applications.

Vehicle Tested: 2017 Ford Fusion Energi

Vehicle Tested: 2017 Ford Fusion Sport

Test Results: Carry-On Luggage

Cargo Configurations

Cargo Volume Comparisons

Lift-Over Height

Test Results: Lift-Over Height

Interior Cubby Storage

The Fusion has the most interior storage space of any vehicle listed here, thanks to its spacious front center console and front door pockets. A pair of useful center console cubbies mean that front-seat passengers have plenty of space for their personal effects.

Why do we use ping-pong balls?

To determine the interior space available to stash travel essentials, we’ve devised a range of measuring protocols. We use six beverage containers ranging in size and shape to gauge cupholder accommodation. We stack, stuff, and arrange 9-by-14-by-22-inch cardboard boxes to quantify the number of airline-carry-on-size suitcases that will fit in a trunk or folded seat’s cargo space. To measure irregularly shaped gloveboxes, door pockets, and console bins, we fill each container with 1.5-inch-diameter ping-pong balls. It’s tempting to convert the number of spheres to a volume (cubic inches), but we resist that calculation because—as with the box of tissues, 12-ounce can of soda, or gallon of milk you might stash in these compartments—there are voids between the balls. Random packing (our procedure) nullifies approximately one-third of the available space. The negative space between the balls could theoretically be reduced to 25 percent of an irregular shape with precise stacking, but while we might be pedantic, we’re not crazy.